Dogs of all breeds are enjoying longer lives thanks to advances in veterinary care in recent years. The availability of heartworm vaccines and preventative medications for pets can add years to your dog’s life.
Aging dogs may have subtle symptoms that appear to be related to advancing age, but instead may be signs of pain or stiffness that can be alleviated. If your older dog has difficulty getting up from a lying position, he may be suffering from osteoarthritis. If your disposition is not as sweet as before, he may be in pain.
Our pets have no way of telling us what is hurting them and they bear the pain with dignity. A pet in pain may not favor a limb, but may whimper when you manipulate one of its hind legs or massage it. She may not be able to tell you that her teeth hurt, but she can turn her head away from a hand reaching for her mouth and can avoid the chew toys she used to enjoy.
Veterinarians recommend health checkups for your canine companion every six months for good reason. Regular visits are especially important for older dogs, as your vet may notice a health issue that can be addressed before it becomes critical or life-threatening for the animal.
Symptoms of senior dog health problems can come on slowly and be so subtle that the owner doesn’t find the change in behavior unusual. You may not realize your dog is in pain until your vet prescribes Rimadyl to relieve the stiffness and pain of arthritis. Once the pain is relieved, your dog can go back to acting like he did when he was younger.
Before your dog’s semi-annual checkup, keep a list of questions to ask your vet. If you notice your dog is drinking more water, doesn’t seem to hear you calling, or seems confused at times, these may be signs of disease or parasite infestation.
Any changes in urination or waste elimination observed in your pet over several days should be reported to your veterinarian. The same is true if your dog seems to have periods where he is disoriented or confused. These symptoms may just be a reflection of age and hot weather or discomfort caused by changing the animal’s food. They can also indicate the beginning of a debilitating disease that needs to be diagnosed by your vet and can be managed with pet medication.
Arthritis is a common condition in older dogs. Obviously, they may be in pain and prefer one leg or hip, or they may move more slowly and appear stiff. Symptoms may come and go depending on the weather and the dog may appear to move normally after some physical activity.
We can’t prevent an older dog from developing hip dysplasia (common in some breeds) or arthritic joints, but we can stop the pain and stiffness associated with the condition.
Baby aspirin is often recommended for arthritic dogs. The low dose is usually enough to relieve pain, and the aspirin acts as an anti-inflammatory to relieve stiff joints. Aspirin should only be given on the advice of your vet, as repeated use can cause stomach and digestive problems for canines.
Treating your senior dog’s arthritis doesn’t have to be expensive. If your vet recommends Rimadyl or Feldene, he can purchase those prescriptions from an online discount pet medication site. You can also ask if he can use the generic forms of the drugs to save even more.
It may be recommended that you give your pet a joint supplement such as Duralactin, Anthrogen, or Cosequin. Prescriptions from your vet’s office can be easily filled online at a vet-run pet medication website that offers discount pet medications.
Your senior dog may have many years to spend with you. With regular health checkups and watching for any changes in his behavior and reporting them to your vet, you can provide your arthritic pet with the best new dog medications to make his life as active and pain-free as possible.